Peach County blanks Warner Robins

WARNER ROBINS -- When Peach County head coach Chad Campbell talks about his football team, the confidence in his voice is readily apparent.

His Trojans showed why Friday night with a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in a 19-0 victory over the Warner Robins Demons.

“Our effort was just tremendous,” Campbell said. “To start the season out with a shutout over a really good football team, we’ll take that all day long. We have to continue to get better, but we’ve got a special bunch.”

Peach County stumbled to an uncharacteristic 8-4 campaign in 2013 that included a 54-21 rout at the hands of the Demons.

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“Any time you get embarrassed, you want to do something about it,” Campbell said. “Our kids made a statement (Friday).”

In what would prove to be the theme of the night, the Trojans’ offense simply refused to relinquish possession of the ball. The Trojans broke open the scoring with 5:33 remaining in the opening half on a 4-yard touchdown run by Keyshawn Lowe that capped a 17-play drive, which chewed up more than eight minutes off of the clock.

The second score came on a 10-play drive in the third quarter that culminated in a 6-yard catch by Kevin Nixon from quarterback Robert Allen.

After a Warner Robins punt on the opening play of the fourth quarter, Peach County started yet another long drive. This one lasted 15 plays, including a third-and-19 conversion on a 22-yard run by James Jackson. While the drive ended with an interception of Allen, the Trojans had effectively ended the game by taking almost another eight minutes off of the board.

The Peach County defense was just as effective. It forced three turnovers and came up with numerous stops on short yardage.

Warner Robins starting quarterback Connor Shaw was lifted in the first quarter after finishing 0-for-2 with an interception. He gave way Robbie Leever, who also threw an interception to end the Demons’ chances late in the fourth quarter.

“Turnovers helped us out a couple of times with the two picks and the fumble, but when you give good effort and people get to the football, things like that happen,” Campbell said.

Campbell was pleased with his team’s start and took notice of the difference with last season.